Hydrocarbon-engine.



E. Fz'-GASKELL. HYDROCARBON ENGINE. 'APPLICATIDN FILED SEPT. 6. |5112.IIENEWED FEB. l. 19H.

lPatented Sept. 11,1917.

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E. F. GASKELL.

HYDROCAHBON ENGINE. APPLxcATloN man ssPLs, 1912. neun/En ma. 1.1911.

Patented Sept. ,11, 1917.y

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E. F. GASKELL.

HYDHOCAHBON ENGINE.

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Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

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FIT?" WITNESSES:

E. F. GASKELL.

HYDROCARBON ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTJS. 1912. RENEWED FEB. l. 19|?.

1 ,239,682 Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITH/8853.' VENTR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELLSWOBTH F. GASKELL, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO CONRADG'. GODDARD, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

HYDROCARBON-ENGINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

Application led September 6, 1912, Serial No. 718,833. Renewed February1, 1917. Serial No. 145,998.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLswoRTH F. GAS- KELL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inHydrocarbon-Engines, of which the followingr is a description.

his invention relates to hydrocarbon engines of the internal combustiontype and, while my invention has been designed with special reference touse in aeroplanes, it is adaptable to motor vehicles, motor boats, andstationary plants.

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the following: to providean internal combustion engine with mechanism and working parts soarranged as to reduce head resistance and wei ht without loss ofstrength, and without impairing the eiliciency, or detracting from thedurability, of said motor when installed in aeroplanes or for otherservice; to provide an internal combustion engine wherein the operatingand moving parts are positive in action in all positions; to provide aninternal combustion engine in which the valve is explosively balanced asregards the surface area exposed to pressure; to provide a simple,compact, light and positively-operating mechanism for actuatin thevalve, and in which all essential bearing-points are antifrictional; toprovide means whereby the valve is rendered continuously7 gas-tight, haslittle inertia and imposes but s ight load upon the actuating mechanism:to provide means. in an internal combustion engine, producing asymmetrical combustion chamber to which the gas has easy access, andfrom which it has easy egress. and in which the gas cannot be pocketed:to provide a. construction of internal combustion engine wherein accessmay be easily had to the combustion chamber, wherein removal of thevalve member. piston and connecting rod is easily accomplished-closeassembling of the parts is permitted in single or multiple motors, andwhich permits casting of the frame or housing in units, en bloc, or anydesired number; to provide a construction wherein the valve has nocontact with the piston at any time. thus eliminating strain upon saidvalve from the 51de thrust of the piston-rod, and in which the saidvalve takes up its own wear automatically through the agency ofgas-tight mechanism; to provide aA construction whereby the valve hasbut one gas-tight surface, which is never exposed to the direct flame orintense heat of the explosion, is easily cooled by a surroundingwater-jacket, and has but one surface to lubricate; and to provide asimple, light,

`easily constructed and readily assembled In order that my invention maybe clearly` understood, I have provided drawings wherein:

Fi re 1 is an elevation of an engine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical section, showindetails of construction;

ig. 3 is a vertical section of the head of the engine showing oneposition of the parts;

Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3, showing another position of theparts;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

F Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 is a section similar toFig. 6, showinganother position of the valve;

ig. 8 is an elevation of the "alve enlarged, parts being broken away todisclose details of construction;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view showing the driving mechanism and the valve,parts being broken away to disclose details;

Fig. 10 is a partially sectioned elevation of the structure shown inFig. 9, showing valve-sealing mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11--11 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a. view similar a; Fig. s. show.

ing another form of valve-sealing mechamsm.

soV

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my engine is embodied ina frame comprising a crank-case composed of two parts I and 2, securelybolted together, and a combined piston and valve cylinder 3, securelybolted to the part 2 of the crank-case, in the lower part of which thepiston 4 reciprocates, and in the upper part of which the valve 5oscillates in a direction. at an angle to the reciprocations of thepiston.

' Surmounting the upper portion of the cylinder 3 is the cylinder-head6, in the center ofY which is set the sparking-plug 7, electricallyoperated and connected in the system in any usual manner. Exhaust andinlet ducts 8 and 9 f re bolted to opposite sides of the valve-chamberand lead away there` from to any suitable point below said chamber. Onone side, above the exhaust 8, the cylinder is expanded into a housing10, for the valve-actuating mechanism, and on the opposite side saidcylinder is expanded into a similar housing 11, for containing the upperhalf of the inlet-duct and electrical apparatus or parts, forming theusual accompaniment of hydrocarbon engines. This disposition of partstends to eliminate condensation of gas as it flows to the cylinders byvirtue of the upper half 9L of the inlet-duct being maintained at acomparaf tively high temperature through the Waterjacket to which it iscast, excludes dust and moisture from the valve-actuating mechanism, andpermits the entire mechanism and valve-parts to be lubricated as a unit,and operate in a continuous bath of both oil and oil-vapor; in addition,this gives both symmetry and balance to the engine and avoids anytendency toward a lack of equilibrium. The cylinder 3 is provided with awater-jacket 12, surrounding the same, which has its variouscommunicating parts extended around the engine for the circulatingfluid, all indicated by the same reference-character 12. A

The piston is of the usual type, closed at its upper end only, and isjournaled to the small end of piston-rod 13, inside of said piston at14. The lower end of the pistonrod 13 is journaled at 15 to the crank16, in turn journaled in the respective portions 1 and 2 of thecrank-case of the frame,`said iournal of the crank 16 constituting thedriving-shaft to fr actuated in the usual manner. Bolted to the outsideof the member 2, of the frame, is the chain-case 17, the same beingsuhstantiallv triangular in form and housing the sprocket-chain 18,`

which coperates with the sprocket-wheel 19. secured to one end of thedriving-shaft 20, said chain 18 passing about a short shaft 21, whichdrives the oil-pump and is journaled in the casing 17. and carries thesprocket-wheel 22 and a Worm-gear 23, the latter engaging a Worm-gear24, carried by the driving mechanism.

the vertical shaft 25, housed by thc tube 26, bolted to the upper part 2of the crank-case. At the other an le of the frame 17, a sprocket-wheel2 coperates with the sprocket-chain 18, said wheel being carried by ashort shaft, journaled in said case, operating the water-pump andelectrical equipment. The upper end of the shaft carries the worm-wheel28, which coperates with the worm-wheel 29, on a shaft 30, journaled inthe housing 10, said shaft carrying a member 31, fixed thereto andhaving therein a circumferential cam-groove 32, the formation of whichis substantially semi-spherical in cross-section to conform to thesemi-spherical coperating portion of the anti-frictional follower 33.This follower, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, is a ball operatingin a socket 34, retained in the member 35, arranged vertically andjournaled,'with anti-frictional roll or plain bearing, at topand'bottom, as at 36, in the housing 10. By this construction, themember 35 coperates with the cam-member 31, with an easy, rolling,anti-frictional engagement, which reduces to the minimum wear andvibration and increases to the maximum balance, quietness andpositiveness in operation. The member 35 has clamped on it, below thesocket 34, the rear end of a lever 37, which reaches under thecam-member 31, and has, at its forward end, the fork 38, which engagesthe antifrictional roll 39, carried by the bracket 40, securely attachedat 41, t0 the valve 5,

see Figs. 4:, 5 and v9, the heads of the screws being housed bycountersinks in the inner surface of the valve. The valve 5, as will beseen in Figs. 3 and 4, rests at its lower end upon the shoulderedportion 42, of the cylinder 3, and at its upper end extends between theupper portion` of said cylinder andthe inner end of the cylinder-head 6,the Yclearance 70, allowed between said valve and head, and produced byenlarging the internal diameter of said valve, being sufiicient topermit free movement of the valve without contact against thecylinder-head.

,This clearance also permits pressure from the combustion to reach theupper portion of the valve, resulting in complete pressurebalance ofsaid valve and a steady load on By this arrangement and coperativerelation of parts and the construction of actuating mechanism justdescribed, a very simple, strong and positively-operating produced.

Upon reference to Figs. 2, 3 and i1, it will be seen that the lower,inner surface of the valve is reduced or relieved, as at 71, to providea clearance between the upper end of the piston and said' valve, and itwill also be seen that the said piston, in its operation, does notextend above said demession and valve mechanism is that said piston, inits upward movement, stops just short of the lower ends of the inlet andoutlet ports 43. By relieving the inner surface of the valve as justdescrlbed, the piston is not permitted to contact with said valve and,by limiting the stroke of the piston relatively to the ports,practically all the products of combustion can be swept away by theexhaust and no accumulation thereof can occur in the valve-chamber.Packing-rings 6EL are provided in the cylinder-head and similar rings 4iin the pistonhead for the purpose of making the valve chamber andpiston-chamber gas-tight.

Particularly referring to Figs. 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, the form of valvewhich I have selected and produced as an embodiment of my invention willbe readily understood with the following description: The valve which Ihave devised is in the form of a cage and may be, in the description andcertain of the claims, re erred to as a cagevalve, in which event itwill be understood that I mean the particular form of valve shown. Thevalve is provided with a plu rality of rectangular, circularly-disposedports 43,-preferably odd in number,ex tending through the body of thecage and lengthwise thereof, these ports being shown as seven in number.Surrounding the top of the valve, in its outer surface, is a groove inwhich is set an expansible s lit-ring 44,A

with stepped joint 45, the en s of which are permitted to sliderelatively as said ring may expand, in answer to the e'ect of heat,without separating at the central table of said step, in the operationof the valve, said ring having a natural tendency to expand itself ashort distance beyond the outer surface of the valve and make anunbroken contact with the valve-chamber wall, as shown at Figs. 9 and10. Below the rin 44 are two expansible rings 46 and 47, eac set withina groove in the outer surface `of the valve, onebeing located above andthe other below the ports 43. The joints 48 and 49 of said rings aresimilar to the joint of ring 44, previously described; and said ringsare provided each with a series of recesses or notches into which extendthe v upper and lower ends of bearing pieces or packing segments 53,located in grooves provided in the valve, when the parts are assembled,as bestshown in Fig. l0, said bearing pieces being slightly greater inthickness than the rings 46 and 47. The segments are set in saidperpendicular grooves and the recesses or notches of said rin so as tomake a gas-tight fity on both si e joints of said segments withclearance allowed between the bottom of the notches and ends of thesegments to permit expansion due to heat, while the valve is inoperation, and allowing l the segments to elongate from that causewithout separating from the sides of the rings, thus maintaining agas-tight joint at this point. Each of the grooves, in which the rings46 and 47 are set, has its bottom counter-grooved for the reception of anarrower, expansible vsplit-ring 50 and 51, having a diagonal joint 52,and each of these rings operating with a tendenc to bear equally againstthe segments and old said segments out a short distance beyond the outersurface of the valve, as shown at Figs. 10 and 11, thus maintaining anunbroken contact with the valve-chamber wall. Due to the oreaterthickness of segments 53 over that ott' rin s 46 and 47, it will be seenthat, when sai rings and segments are bearing against the valve-chamberwall, there vill be a constant clearance in the groove in the valvebetween the rings 46 and 50, and 47 and 51, which enables each set ofrings to perform its separate functions without interference from eachother.

An alternative forni of the segmental bearing-pieces is shown in Fig.v12, this form consisting of the longitudinal body-portion 63,` having atopposite ends the cross-pieces or bars 64. the branches of which extendin opposite directions from the body-portion 63, and each of whichbranches, at its end, is stepped on its inner edge, as at 6T. The saidcross-pieces are either permanently curved to conform to the contour ofthe valve-chamber, or the material, of which the bearing-pieces aremade, is sutliciently flexible to enable said cross-pieces to conform tothe contour of said valve-chamber when they are set in position and heldout by the expansible rings 60 and 61. The stepped ends of thecross-pieces of adjacent bearing-segments are brought into overlappingrelation to each other so that said bearing-pieces will form, throughthe medium `of their cross-pieces, a continuous bearing surface aroundthe several ports of the valve. Expansion and contraction of the valvewill be compensated by clearance 66, between the overlapping ends of thecross-pieces without breaking contact at the central steps of saidjoints, or forming a gap detrimental to the operation of the cage. Amongthe advantages of this particular form of bearing are that the number ofparts is reduced, thus reducing the cost of construction and increasingease of manufacture; the cooking of the bearing-pieces or segments isprevented, and any tendency toward leakage or destruction of the partsis prevented, since said bearing-segments cannot catch on the portedges; uniform contact is provided entirely around the valve-cage, andthe bearing-segments readily adapt themselves to any distortion of thecylinder; and any possibillty of one segment crowding another isprevented because of the clearance 66 allowed at the ends of the steppedjoints; and, owing to lexpansible rings 60 and 6l being in constantcontact with the branches of said segments around the entire outercircumference of said rings, the latter will be uniformly cooledindirectly through said segments. i

It will .be seen, from the foregoing description, that a completegas-tight mechanism has been devised which eiectually seals all sides ofthe ports from within, as well as from without, in all points of travelof the valve, and all of said gas-tight mech- :mism is arranged, orworks constantly, in Contact with the cooled water-jacketed wall of thevalvechamber7 and is never subjected to the direct flame or intense heatof combustion. Also, by virtue of said gas-tight mechanism beingpositively, or forcibly, held against the valve-chamber wall, saidmechanism will automatically take up the natural wear as it presentsitself and prevent gas leakage at all points.

Viewing Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the ports of thevalve-chamber,- the inlet-ports being indicated at 54, while theexhaust-ports are indicated at 55,--communicate respectively with theinlet land exhaust ducts 9 and 8; and itwill be noted that the inlet andexhaust ports are each three in number and that the same are groupedsymmetrically anl equi-distantly on opposite sides of the valve-chamber,and that each of said ports has arrangedradjacent thereto acooling-chamber, see Figs. 6 and 7. It will also be seen, viewing thesefigures, that, by reason of the odd number of ports in the valve andeven number of ports in the valves chamber, whenkthe valve is oscillatedin the valve-chamber the predetermined extent, according to myinvention, the three ports on the exhaust-side of the chamber willcoins? de with three ports of the valve, while, on the inlet-side of thevalve-Chamber, the three ports thereof will be closed by bridges of thevalve, and that two of said ports i'n said valve will be closed byframe-portions 56 and 57, this being at the moment of exhaust aftercombustion in said cylinder,- see particularly Fig. 6. A neutralposition of the ports of the valve and valve-chamber is seen in Fig. 7,where all the ports of the chamber and the valve are closed, this beingthe firing position of the parts, or the osition thereof at the timewhen combustion takes place in the cylinder for the purpose of actuatingthe piston. A reverse movement of the valve will bring the parts intoposition the precise opposite of that shown in Fig. 6, at which time thethree inlet-ports of the valve-chamber will register with acorresponding number of inlet-ports in the valve. This will be readilyunderstood when Figs. 6 and 7 are viewed` in connection with Figs. 3 and4; and it will be realized that` due to each set of ports operating intrain and the relative formation of said ports, it requires but-acomparatively short movement of the valve to pass from inlet to neutralposition andA from the latter to exhaust position, this comparativelyshort travel reducing the in ertia of the valve, which inertia isfurther checked by the natural drag of the segments and rings containedin the valve, all of which economizes the power required to operate saidvalve. The odd number of ports in the valve is also important in that,according to my invention, 1t preveints any two segments t ereof frombeing d ametrically opposite, thus avoiding jamming the rings 50, 51,between two segmentsv thus disposed, resulting in equalization ofpressure against said segments by rings 50 and 51, reduction in theweight and inertia of the valve, permitting equal expansion ofthe latterand requiring less power to operate the same. By disposing the oddnumber of ports in the valve and an even number in the valve-chamber,symmetrical disposition of each group of ports in the valve-chamber isprovided and the foregoing results occur with positiveness and certaintyin operation.

It should be particularly noted that the moving parts of my engi ne arefew and that such movements are small, are given posi-.

tively and without undue loss of energy; also that said movements arewithout excess of friction and with perfect balance of pressure on allexposed sides of the valve. Moreover, by virtue of the cylinder-headextending down only to the top level of the ports and the piston-headrising only to the bottom level of the ports, scavenging is brought to amaximum, resulting in little or no residue or products of combustionremaining in the cylinder. Also, by my mechanism, large and directgas-passages are produced. together with perfect and centralizedcombustion. In addition, the movement of the valve is not againstpressure within the same, and no greater effort is required to shift thevalve at the beginning of exhaust, when there is a terminal pressureremaining in the cylinder, than at the moment of intake, when a minuspressure exists.V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having supply and exhaustports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder below said ports; acylindrical valve confined to oscillating movements and located withinsaid cylinder and extending beyondthe limit of upward movement of saidpiston, said valve having ports adapted to coperate with the ports 1n.said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to thepressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; andmeans for operating said valve.

'2. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder open at its upper endand having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in saidcylinder; a valve confined to oscillating movements and cylindrical inform and of greater internal diameter than the diameter of said piston,located within said cylinder, so as to be exposed to the pressure withinsaid cylinder, and said valve extending beyond the limit of upwardmovement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperatewith the ports 1n said cylinder; a removable head for closing the upperend of said cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

3. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having a plurality ofsupply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating insaid cylinder;portions of the cylinder wall between said several ports being hollow sothat a cooling fiuid may flow-therethrough; an oscillating cylindricalvalve confined to oscillating movements and/located within saidcylinder, and extending bevond the limit of upward movement of s aidpistone` said valve having a plurality of supply and of exhaust portsadapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinder, and the innersurface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinderthroughout its entire circumference; and means for operating said valve.

4. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder open at its upper end andhaving a plurality of supp'ly and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocatingin said cylinder; portions of the cylinder wall between said severalports being hollow so that a cooling iiuid may flow therethrough; anoscillating valve, cylindrical in form and of greater internal diameterthan the diameter of said piston, located within said cylinder, confinedto oscillating movements therein, and extending beyond the limit ofupward movement of said piston; said valve having a plurality of supplyand of exhaust ports adapted to cooperate with the ports in saidcylinder, andthe inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressurewithin said cylinder throughout. its entire circumference; a removablehead for lclosing the upper end of said cylinder; and means foroperating said valve.

5. In a h drocarbon engine, a working cylinder having a plurality of suply ports, and a plurality of exhaust ports ocated opposite to saidsupply ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillatingcylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond thelimit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adaptedto cooperate with but greater 1n number than the total of the supply andexhaust ports in the cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

6. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having a plurality ofsupply ports, and a plurality of exhaust ports located opposite to saidsupply ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; portions of thecylinder wall between said several ports being hollow so that a coolingfluid may iiow therethrough; an oscillating cylindrical valve locatedwithin said c llnder and extending beyond the limit o, upward movementof said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperate with butgreater in number than the total of the supply and exhaust ports in saidcylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to thepressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; andmeans for operating said valve.

7. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder open at its upper end andhaving supply and exhaust ports located therein; a piston reciprocatingin said cylinder; a valve confined to oscillating movements andylindrical in form and of greater internal ,v iameter than the diameterof said piston,

beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve havingports adapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinder and the innersurface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinderthroughout its entire circumference; a removable head for closing theupper end of said cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

8.`A hydrocarbon engine having, in combination, a cylindricalvalve-chamber provided with a plurality of inlet-ports and a pluralityof outlet-ports, disposed substantially diametrically opposite eachother; inlet and outlet ducts cooperating with the respective inlet andoutlet ports; a cylindrical oscillating valve, mounted to operate in thevalve-chamber, having ports disposed so as to cooperate with the inletand outlet ports of the valve-chamber, and the inner surface of whichvalveis exposed to the pressure within said chamber throughout itsentire circumference, and all thesaid ports having greater height thanbreadth; and means for actuating the valve in adirection at an angle tothe length of the i orts, whereby the travel of the valve, for nctionaipurposes, is reduced to the minimum. D

9. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder o en at its upper end andhaving supply an eating in said cylinder; a cylindrical .valve confinedto oscillatin movements and located within said cy inder and extendinbeyond the limit of upward movement o said piston, said valve havingports adapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinders; a removablehead for closing the upper end of said cylinder and which head isprovided located within said cylinder and extending exhaust ports; apiston reeipro-A y with a centrally located projecting portion extendinginto the upper end of said valve; and means for operating said valve.

10. In a hydrocarbon engine a working cylinder open at its upper end andhaving y supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocatin in saidcylinder; `a valve, confined to osci lating movements and cylindrical inform and v'of greater internal diameter than the diameter of saidpiston, located within Vsaid cylinder and extending beyond supply anexhaust orts;'a piston recipro,

eating in said cylin er; a valve confined to oscillating -movements andcylindrical in form and of greater internal diameter than the diameterof said piston, located within said Vcylinder and extending beyond thelimit of upward movement of said piston, Said valve having ports adaptedto coperate with the ports in said cylinder, and the inner surface ofwhich valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughoutits entire circumference; a removable head for closing the upper end ofsaid cylinder and which head is provided with a centrally locatedprojection extending into the ,upper end of said valve; and means foroprating said valve.

12. A hydrocarbon engine having, in combination, a casing having inletand outlet ports therethrough to form a valvechamber;` a cooling-jacketentirely surrounding said chamber; a valve provided with ports locatedand operating in said chamber, and the inner surface of which 'valve isexposed to the pressure within said chamber, said valve having aplurality of contact-devices arranged between it and the walls of saidchamber to rovide a constant contact between said devices and thechamber-walls, whereby heat in said contact-devices and the valve iscarried oli' through the cooled walls of said chamber.

1 3. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having supply andexhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a cylindricalvalve, conned to oscillating movementsand located within said cylinderand extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, saidvalve having ports adapted to coperate CWith the portsin saidcylinder,and the inner surface' of which valve is exposed to the pressure withinsaid cylinder throughout its entire circumference; packing Ymemberslocated in grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve; andmeans for "operating said valve.

l-l. In a hydrocarbon engine, a Working cylinder having supply andexhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillatingcylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond thelimit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adaptedto coperate with the ports in said cylinder, and the inner surface ofwhich valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughoutits entire circumference; packing rings located in circumferentialgrooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve, and one at eachend of the ports therein, and each ofI Whichrings is provided with aplurality of recesses; a series of vertically arranged packing segmentslocated in grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve and theends of which enter the recesses in said packing rings; and means foroperating said valve.

15. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having supply andexhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillatingcylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond thelimit of .upward movement of said piston, and having ports adapted tocoperate with the ports in said cylinder; packing rings located incircumferential grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve andone at each end of the ports therein; a series of vertically arrangedpacking segments located in grooves formed in the exterior surface ofsaid valve; and circumferential rings adapted to force said segmentsoutward; and means for operating said valve.

16. In a hydrocarbon engine, a Working cylinder having supply andexhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillatingcylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond thelimit of upward movementof said piston, said valve having ports adapted,to coperate with the poi'tsin said cylinder, and the inner surface ofwhich valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughoutits entire circumference; packing rings located in circumferentialgrooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve and one at each endof the ports therein, and each of which rings is'provided with aplurality of recesses; a series of vertically arran ed packing segmentslocated in grooves ormed in the exterior surface of said valve, and theends of which enter the recesses in said packing rings; means adapted toforce said segments outward; and means for operating said valve.

17. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising acircularlymovable valve having an odd number of cylinder,

ports therein, and a valve-chamber having an even number of portstherein dividing into two series arranged at opposite sides of thechamber, and mechanism for actuati the said valve, the inner surface ofsaid va ve being exposed to the' pressure within the valve-chamber andthe ports being arrangedV relatively so as to produce an explosivebalance in the valve.

18. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising acircularly movable valve having a plurality of vertically dis osed andequi-distantly arranged ports, andla valve-chamber having a lessernumber of ports arranged'in two oppositely disposed series forcoperation with said valve ports, and means for oscillating said valvewithin said chamber.

19. A valve mechanism for hydrocarbon engines comprising a cage-valvehaving ports; expansible rin s and segmental bearing-pieces embedded 1nthe exterior surface of said cage-valve about theports; and expansiblemembers coperatmg with the pieces to forcibly press the same outwardly,whereby a contact-surface 'is provided for said cage-valve.

20. A valve mechanism for hydrocarbon engines comprisin a cage-valvehaving ports; expansible rings and segmental bearing-pieces embedded 1nthe cage-valve about the ports; expansible members coperating with thepieces to forcibly press the same outwardly; said bearing-pieces havingtheir ends extending into recesses provided in the rings, whereby agas-tight contact-surface 41s provided for said cage-valve.

21. A hydrocarbon engine comprising in its structure a working cylinderhaving supply and exhaust ports; a piston adapted to reciprocate in saidcylinder; a valve located and operatin and having ports a apted tocoperate with the cylinder ports; packing strips located in grooves inthe exterior surface of, the valve and arranged at opposite ends ofthevalveports; and additional packing strips in grooves in the exteriorsurface of the valve andarranged at an angle to the other packingstrips; and means for actuating said valve.

22. A hydrocarbon en ine having, in combination, a working cylinderhaving supply.' a piston reciprocating in and exhaust ports; saidcylinder; an oscillatingV valve in said cylinder extending `beyond thelimit of up- Nvard movementv of Vsaid ports for ooperation wi theportsof said and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressurewithin said cylinder throughout .itsentire inner surface; and means foractuating said valve injcluding connections thereto atits upper end.

23. A hydrocarbon engine havlng, in combination,l a working cylinderhaving supply within said cylinder piston, and having t .and exhaustports;

having its entire inner surface exposed to the pressure Within saidcylinder, and said valve having ports adapted to coperate with the portsof said cylinder; a piston reciprocating within said cylinder and -valvebut confined to operation below the ports thereof; and means foractuating said valve including connections thereto above the portsthereof.

24.. A hydrocarbon engine having, in conibination, a working cylinderhaving supply and exhaust ports; a crank-casing below the cylinder;actuating means in. said casing; a valve in said cylinder having itsentire inner surface exposed to the pressure in the cylinder, and saidvalvelhaving ports for cooperation with the ports of said cylinder; apiston operating Within said cylinder and valve and confined tomovements below the ports thereof; connections between said piston andsaid actuating means; and means for actuating said valve includingconnections from said actuating means to the valve above the portsthereof.

25. A hydrocarbon engine having, in combination, a working cylinderhaving supply and exhaust orts; a crank-casing at one end ofsaidcylindbr ;-actuating means in said casing; a valve in said cylinderhaving ports coperating with said cylinder ports; a piston operatingwithin the said cylinder and in coperative relation to thevalve; ahousing arranged at one side of said cylinder and at the end'th'ereofopposite the crankcasing; another housing opposite the one first namedand at the same end of the cylinder; connections between the piston andthe actuating means; means tor actuating,

Athe valve, including connections from the actuating means to thevalve', a Vportion of which are'inclosed within the first-named housing;and said second-named housing inclosing essential Vportions of theoperating parts of the engine, scribed.

26. A hydrocarbon engine comprising a working cylinder having inlet andoutlet ports; a valve o erating within said cylinder and conned) tooscillating movements therein; a head for closing one end of the casingand extending into one end of the valvel and a piston reciprocatingwithin the cylinderY and the opposite end of the valve, whereby ,anunobstructed combustion-chamber is produced, and the entire innersurface of the valve isy exposed to the pressure in the cylinder.

27. A hydrocarbon engine having, in com-A bination, a workingcylmderprovided with inlet and outlet ports; a head closing one endofthe cylinder; a valve operating within the casing and confined tovmovements therein and surrounding 4a portion ofthe-head; and the saidhead being substantially as de,-

a valve in said cylinder oscillating inner surface of the valve isexposed to the pressure in thecylinder.

28. A hydrocarbon engine having, in comhination', a workingcylmderprovided with inlet and outlet ports; a valve operating Within thecylinder and having ports coperatin with thel inlet and outlet ports ofthe cy inder; a piston-having reciprocatory motion within the cylinderand rWithin a portion of the valve, the arrangement of the valve 4Withinthe cylinder and relativelyv to `the piston beingsucli as to expose theentire 1B inner surface of the valve to the pressure within saidcylinder; means for actuating thel piston; means for actuating thevalve;and means whereby the valve'and thelpiston are prevented "from engagingjwith eaclfizoV other at all times. r

In testimony whereof I have hereunto' signed my name in the presence 'oftwo 'subscribin Witnesses.

LLSWORTH F. GASKELL.

Witnesses: A

CHAB. MGC. CHAPMAN,

M. HERsKovrrz.

